A great description of Priest! You think you know what's going on? BOOM! Here's a new piece of info to shake that new-found certainty. So much of his writing takes the reader to a liminal space, and then twists (though not necessarily through a 'twist') the perception with a revealing word, or sentence, which he makes such a small deal about, but which reshapes the reader's understanding. I love it. You're right about the narrative not 'sparkling' as Harrison's does, but it doesn't need to.
I have a few of Priest's books on my shelf recently heard about Harrison's book The Course of the Heart. They both seem like must read authors. I could live to a million, too, if that allows me to read all the good books you present!
Scott, thanks for the info. I was familiar with Priest but not Harrison-I will seek out there stuff . Also, have you ever considered writing a science fiction novel about the richest man in the world (he owns the E-Commerce Company in the United States and a newspaper in the nation's capitol) going on a rocket ship to outer space? In the tradition of C.M. Kornbluth ? Or is it just too ridiculous to contemplate?
It's so damn ridiculous and disgusting it might as well be true! Harrison is worth checking out esp. if you like Priest (though they are very different writers.) Stay safe, Michael. s
Hey Scott, I've been going through your videos since the pandemic started and really enjoying your take on your favorite literature. I was super excited to see your review of Ian Fleming in The New Republic & read it right away. Nice job, it's a shame that so many people only know Bond through those horrible movies, the books are much more fun. Can't wait to see another review of yours show up on my feed.
Great having you in the bathtub, Jay. I'm trying to stay out of the tub long enough to "film " a couple quick talks, one about Fleming, as it happens. If you want to be an "official" IBA member, entitling you to read books in the bathtub anywhere in the known universe, just give me your location and permission. We have a Facebook page at: facebook.com/groups/702202229874384. Stay safe! s
Thanks for noticing, RS. I need to crank up my Manhattan and video tubing this afternoon and catch up with all my pointless reading, so stay tuned. And don't forget to wash behind your ears! S
Harrison won the Goldsmiths Award for The Sunken Land Begins to Rise Again - which has generic elements, but they’re so disguised as to be virtually unrecognisable. Recommended.
I used to read a lot of New Wave - and was suitably impressed by their wild-and-crazy ways - but it’s since palled on me. A lot of the time it reads like good writers deliberately trying to write badly for the sake of experimentation and bucking the mainstream. Harrison is an interesting one (though that darkness you mentioned puts me off: there’s a vein of dry cruelty in his writing that I don’t enjoy). The Viriconium books start out as straight science-fantasy, then transform in the second and third volumes into something much more avant-garde.
There was definitely a lot of that going on, but Harrison and Priest are pretty interesting, consistent novelists using the novel in ways I've never quite seen them used before. I don't know the entirety of their work that well, but they do interest me, and provide good bathing, even as I grow older.
@@Scottmbradfield I think I’ll try “Indoctrinaire” - I had a quick look at a library copy and realized there’s an early scene (with the hand) which must have made it onto a later paperback cover; I remember seeing that cover years ago and being struck by its beauty. By the way, thanks for your previous posts on Fante and Brautigan - I’ve since tried them both and really enjoyed them.
Perhaps this would interest you, a new interview with Christopher Priest: th-cam.com/video/AssoL4lBqog/w-d-xo.html
Thanks, Redford. s
A great description of Priest! You think you know what's going on? BOOM! Here's a new piece of info to shake that new-found certainty. So much of his writing takes the reader to a liminal space, and then twists (though not necessarily through a 'twist') the perception with a revealing word, or sentence, which he makes such a small deal about, but which reshapes the reader's understanding. I love it.
You're right about the narrative not 'sparkling' as Harrison's does, but it doesn't need to.
Welcome to the bathtub, Toby. They're both such unique and enjoyable writers, and so different (in my mind.) Stay safe out there! s
Have you read any Martin Amis? Can you cover some of his novels.
I'm not a big Amis fan but should give him another try someday... it may be a while. I'd rather read more Lem! Take care, Aaron. s
I have a few of Priest's books on my shelf recently heard about Harrison's book The Course of the Heart. They both seem like must read authors. I could live to a million, too, if that allows me to read all the good books you present!
Inverted World is super good.
Now you have a reason to live forever. S
@@tectorgorch8698 I have that on my shelf. s
Can't wait for your John Sladek video
Scott, thanks for the info. I was familiar with Priest but not Harrison-I will seek out there stuff .
Also, have you ever considered writing a science fiction novel about the richest man in the world (he owns the E-Commerce Company in the United States and a newspaper in the nation's capitol) going on a rocket ship to outer space? In the tradition of C.M. Kornbluth ? Or is it just too ridiculous to contemplate?
It's so damn ridiculous and disgusting it might as well be true! Harrison is worth checking out esp. if you like Priest (though they are very different writers.) Stay safe, Michael. s
Hey Scott, I've been going through your videos since the pandemic started and really enjoying your take on your favorite literature. I was super excited to see your review of Ian Fleming in The New Republic & read it right away. Nice job, it's a shame that so many people only know Bond through those horrible movies, the books are much more fun. Can't wait to see another review of yours show up on my feed.
Great having you in the bathtub, Jay. I'm trying to stay out of the tub long enough to "film " a couple quick talks, one about Fleming, as it happens. If you want to be an "official" IBA member, entitling you to read books in the bathtub anywhere in the known universe, just give me your location and permission. We have a Facebook page at: facebook.com/groups/702202229874384. Stay safe! s
Thanks for the info on Harrison, he was just a name I heard. I have a copy of The Inverted World by Priest, which needs to be added to the TBR list!
Yeah I've got Inverted World on my tottering tower as well...
Hi Scott... It has been a while since we've heard from you. hope you're keeping well. Don't skip your baths! It's important to stay clean ;-)
Thanks for noticing, RS. I need to crank up my Manhattan and video tubing this afternoon and catch up with all my pointless reading, so stay tuned. And don't forget to wash behind your ears! S
@@Scottmbradfield will do! P.S. I really enjoyed your Nabokov videos back in the days. Any chance we get more of these?
@@arefinedsolitude5199 I can't imagine a bathtub without more Nabokov eventually, just need to find the time and space...
I really enjoyed that, thanks.
Thanks, Redford. Yeah it's nice to see Harrison getting some attention for his unusual and really well-written books. Stay safe! s
Harrison won the Goldsmiths Award for The Sunken Land Begins to Rise Again - which has generic elements, but they’re so disguised as to be virtually unrecognisable. Recommended.
I used to read a lot of New Wave - and was suitably impressed by their wild-and-crazy ways - but it’s since palled on me. A lot of the time it reads like good writers deliberately trying to write badly for the sake of experimentation and bucking the mainstream.
Harrison is an interesting one (though that darkness you mentioned puts me off: there’s a vein of dry cruelty in his writing that I don’t enjoy). The Viriconium books start out as straight science-fantasy, then transform in the second and third volumes into something much more avant-garde.
There was definitely a lot of that going on, but Harrison and Priest are pretty interesting, consistent novelists using the novel in ways I've never quite seen them used before. I don't know the entirety of their work that well, but they do interest me, and provide good bathing, even as I grow older.
@@Scottmbradfield I think I’ll try “Indoctrinaire” - I had a quick look at a library copy and realized there’s an early scene (with the hand) which must have made it onto a later paperback cover; I remember seeing that cover years ago and being struck by its beauty.
By the way, thanks for your previous posts on Fante and Brautigan - I’ve since tried them both and really enjoyed them.